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Archive | June 2012

Today is the first Saturday in what seems like a long time that I did not have to get up and rush out of the house for some event or activity. Out of habit, when I got up this morning, my mind starting racing about all I needed to get done today. I need to make out my grocery list, cut my coupons and go to the grocery store. Do I have time to take a quick walk in my neighborhood and get my exercising in this morning? Clothes are in need of washing! What will I cook for dinner tonight? Do I have time to get to the nail salon before the day is over? How about cleaning up around the house? I need to wake up my three children so we can get it started up in here! This was going to be a never-ending list of things to do!

Then I stood still for a moment and I realized how peaceful and quiet it was around me! I could so easily start running errands and taking care of things that need to be done around the house. I could wake everyone else up and raise the noise level in my house. Or I could sit down for a few minutes and spend some time alone with God! I then heard His voice say just relax.

So I brewed me a cup of coffee (in a real coffee cup and not in a convenient to go cup) and went out on my patio with my bible. I read some of God’s words and daily instructions for my life. I meditated on those words and I asked God to continue to impart His words into my heart so that I can live better, do better and be better!

As I sat there on my quiet patio, I could hear others starting their cars possibly to run errands or head out to scheduled events. I could hear someone’s music from a few houses down drifting to my patio. Although it is a bit cloudy outside, I could see the green of the trees and a hint of blue in the sky. Most importantly, I could feel the presence of the LORD!

Now that I have had quiet time, I feel better and relaxed. I still have plenty to do and I will start racing around soon, but I am so thankful for the extra time alone with God. And, I am thankful He woke me up this morning and that HE thought enough of me to give me some extra time to just relax!

Psalm 8:3-4

When I consider your heavens and the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for Him?

Just a month ago we were celebrating Mother’s Day and now here we are a few days away from celebrating Father’s Day. After I had written Mothers: Chosen To Fulfill Purpose , a friend said “well, you have written a piece about mothers, are you going to do the same about fathers?” I confidently told him that I would but it might be more difficult for me to do. My friend and I then engaged in a conversation about our fathers. You see, I never knew my earthly father and my friend’s father died of a heart attack when my friend was just 6 months old.

I can’t tell you that after I was born, that my father ever held me in his arms. I can’t tell you that he bounced me on his knees or that he ever took me to get ice cream. I can’t tell you at times when my heart was broken, that he ever wiped away my tears. I don’t know what kind of cars he drove or what was one of his favorite desserts. I can’t even tell you whether I look like him or act like him in any way. I can’t describe to you how tall he was or what he sounded like when he talked. I never knew him and I never saw him. I have never seen a picture of my father. For me, there is no captured memory of a presence of my father in my life.

My friend, on the other hand, had a father who did get the opportunity to hold him in his arms. He does have a few pictures of his dad holding him. However, because he was only 6 months old when his father passed away, he has no actual memories of his father. For my friend, there was a brief physical presence of his earthly father in his life.

Over the years, I have wondered about my own father. At one point, I even attempted to locate this man in hopes of finding out more about him and perhaps even more about me. This past year, during one of those moments where it was just me and God, He let me know that He never intended for me to know my earthly father. My earthly father fulfilled his purpose in my life. Wow! It took me almost 50 years to understand this is just how it was meant to be.

Although I may not have known my earthly father, The one who is my Father, has taken care of me all of my life. He has been the best provider and protector. He has fed me and clothed me. He has wiped away my tears and comforted me when I have been disappointed. He has shielded me when the enemy was lurking around me. When I needed someone to talk to, He was always right there ready to listen to me. When I was sick, He was the one who healed me. When I felt depressed and neglected because I did not know my earthly father, the One who is my Father, gave me peace and helped me to forgive. My Father, has never left me or forsaken me. I have always been in the presence of my Father. He has blessed me beyond measure!

My friend and I have not had the privilege of celebrating Father’s Day over the years like most. I can, however, tell you that we are both thankful for the presence they did have in our lives. Each of these men fulfilled their purpose for us. It has been a bittersweet realization. We know this was part of God’s plans for us. His plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

As you celebrate fathers this weekend, please remember the Father of us all. If it were not for Him, where would we be?

The Lord’s Prayer

9 My Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matthew 6)

When my mother was still alive we would ask her how she was doing and she would say “Oh, I’m having a grand time”! She would put such an emphasis on the word grand that you could not help but to smile with her.

There were many times in the last couple of years of her life, that she did not always remember who I was when I would visit her. She would recognize my children and call them by name, but she would look at me and could not remember. She would even say that my children were Jackie’s children but did not realize that I was Jackie! I would tell her that it was okay and then I would ask her how she was doing. She never failed to say she was fine and she was having a “grand time”!

Towards the end, when her memory and health were fading more and more, she would still continue to tell us she was having a “grand time” !

I can only imagine that every day since January 5, 2011, the day the LORD called her home, that she has been having a “GRAND TIME”!

Like this:

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me besides the still waters.

He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The 23rd Psalm is familiar to most of us. We either learned it at an early age or we have just heard it so much that we can recite it without looking in the bible. The past few days, in my quiet time, God has brought this scripture before me to meditate on. In reading the 23rd Psalm, God ever so gently reminds me that He is everything I need. Plain and simple as that, He lets me know that He is my shepherd and with him there is no lack. He gives me peace, comfort, and restoration when my soul is anxious. He gives me time and a place to rest. He provides the beauty of nature for me to look at daily. When evil is lurking near me, He tells me not to be fearful because He is right there with me to shield me from all harm and danger. When others are challenging me and even at times attacking who I am, He covers me with an anointed oil that only He can cover me in. And then, just like that, He blesses me! In my best times and even in my broken times, His goodness and mercy is ever-present.